Enter [Bolingbroke, now] King [Henry], with his nobles[, Harry Percy and others].
Can no man tell me of my unthrifty son?
5.3.22498'Tis full three months since I did see him last.
5.3.32499If any plague hang over us, 'tis he.
5.3.42500I would to God, my lords, he might be found.
5.3.52501Inquire at London, 'mongst the taverns there,
5.3.62502For there, they say, he daily doth frequent
5.3.82504Even such, they say, as stand in narrow lanes
5.3.92505And beat our watch and rob our passengers,
5.3.102506While he, young wanton and effeminate boy,
My lord, some two days since I saw the Prince,
5.3.132510And told him of those triumphs held at Oxford.
And what said the gallant?
His answer was, he would unto the stews,
5.3.162513And from the common'st creature pluck a glove
5.3.182515He would unhorse the lustiest challenger.
As dissolute as desperate. Yet through both
5.3.202517I see some sparks of better hope, which elder years,
5.3.212518May happily bring forth. But who comes here?
2519Enter Aumerle, amazed. Where is the King?
What means our cousin, that he stares and looks so wildly?
God save your grace! I do beseech your majesty
5.3.252524To have some conference with your grace alone.
[To his nobles] Withdraw yourselves, and leave us here alone.
[Exeunt all but King Henry and Aumerle.]
[Kneeling] Forever may my knees grow to the earth,
5.3.292528My tongue cleave to my roof within my mouth,
Intended or committed was this fault?
5.3.322531If on the first, how heinous e'er it be,
[Standing] Then give me leave that I may turn the key
Have thy desire.
[Aumerle locks the door.]
The Duke of York knocks at the door and crieth.
[Within] My liege, beware! Look to thyself!
5.3.382537Thou hast a traitor in thy presence there.
[To Aumerle] Villain, I'll make thee safe.
[He draws his sword.]
Stay thy revengeful hand. Thou hast no cause to fear.
[Within] Open the door, secure, foolhardy King!
5.3.422542Shall I for love speak treason to thy face?
[King Henry unlocks the door.]
[Enter the Duke of York.]
What is the matter, uncle? Speak.
5.3.452546 Recover breath. Tell us how near is danger
[Holding out a letter] Peruse this writing here, and thou shalt know
5.3.482549The treason that my haste forbids me show.
[To King Henry] Remember, as thou read'st, thy promise passed.
5.3.512552My heart is not confederate with my hand.
It was, villain, ere thy hand did set it down. --
5.3.532554I tore it from the traitor's bosom, King.
5.3.542555Fear, and not love, begets his penitence.
5.3.562557A serpent that will sting thee to the heart.
Oh, heinous, strong, and bold conspiracy!
5.3.592560Thou sheer, immaculate, and silver fountain
5.3.602561From whence this stream, through muddy passages,
5.3.612562Hath held his current and defiled himself,
So shall my virtue be his vice's bawd,
5.3.662567And he shall spend mine honor with his shame,
5.3.672568As thriftless sons their scraping fathers' gold.
5.3.682569Mine honor lives when his dishonor dies,
5.3.702571Thou kill'st me in his life: giving him breath,
5.3.712572The traitor lives, the true man's put to death.
[Within] What ho, my liege! For God's sake, let me in!
What shrill-voiced suppliant makes this eager cry?
[Within] A woman, and thy aunt, great King; 'tis I.
Our scene is altered from a serious thing,
5.3.782580And now changed to "the Beggar and the King." --
5.3.792581My dangerous cousin, let your mother in.
5.3.802582I know she is come to pray for your foul sin.
[ Aumerle opens the door.]
[The Duchess of York enters and kneels.]
If thou do pardon whosoever pray,
5.3.822584More sins for this forgiveness prosper may.
5.3.832585This festered joint cut off, the rest rest sound.
5.3.842586This let alone will all the rest confound.
Oh, King! Believe not this hard-hearted man.
Thou frantic woman, what dost thou make here?
5.3.882591Shall thy old dugs once more a traitor rear?
Sweet York, be patient. -- Hear me, gentle liege.
Rise up, good aunt.
Rise up, good aunt. Not yet, I thee beseech.
5.3.942597Till thou give joy, until thou bid me joy
5.3.952598By pardoning Rutland, my transgressing boy.
[Kneeling] Unto my mother's prayers I bend my knee.
[Kneeling] Against them both my true joints bended be.
Pleads he in earnest? Look upon his face.
5.3.1002602His eyes do drop no tears, his prayers are in jest;
5.3.1012603His words come from his mouth, ours from our breast.
5.3.1052607Our knees still kneel till to the ground they grow.
5.3.1082610Our prayers do outpray his. Then let them have
Good aunt, stand up.
Good aunt, stand up. Nay, do not say "stand up."
5.3.1122614Say "pardon" first, and afterwards "stand up."
5.3.1132615An if I were thy nurse, thy tongue to teach,
5.3.1142616"Pardon" should be the first word of thy speech.
5.3.1162618Say "pardon," King. Let pity teach thee how.
5.3.1172619The word is short, but not so short as sweet.
5.3.1182620No word like "pardon" for kings' mouths so meet.
Speak it in French, King. Say, "pardonnez-moi.".
Dost thou teach pardon pardon to destroy?
5.3.1242626[To King Henry] The chopping French we do not understand.
5.3.1252627Thine eye begins to speak; set thy tongue there;
5.3.1262628Or in thy piteous heart plant thou thine ear,
5.3.1272629That, hearing how our plaints and prayers do pierce,
Good aunt, stand up.
Good aunt, stand up. I do not sue to stand.
I pardon him, as God shall pardon me.
Oh, happy vantage of a kneeling knee!
5.3.1352637Twice saying "pardon" doth not pardon twain,
I pardon him with all my heart.
A god on earth thou art.
[They all stand.]
But for our trusty brother-in-law and the Abbot,
5.3.1412643Destruction straight shall dog them at the heels.
5.3.1442646They shall not live within this world, I swear,
5.3.1472649Your mother well hath prayed; and prove you true.
[To Aumerle] Come, my old son. I pray God make thee new.